Showing posts with label mixed lettuce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mixed lettuce. Show all posts

Monday, 14 May 2012

Holidays & gardening

...aren't particularly compatible.

I hate leaving my flowerbeds, kitchen garden and greenhouse at this time of year. Not only do I miss out on the wonder of seeing the garden change by the day, but everything's so tiny and fragile, the slightest drought/drench/heatwave/chill can really mess with my plans.

Luckily though everything survived, thanks to a few milder days and a very helpful friend.

The south-facing flowerbed was completely transformed into a vibrant jungle of tulips & perennials.

Lots of colour! Note the lime & calmondin trees out for a much-
needed dose of sunshine after almost two weeks of shady living.
Growth in the kitchen garden wasn't quite as overwhelming, probably due to the warm, dry weather. But it was all in need of a jolly good drink!

My lettuce babies have survived the slugs, but are looking a little parched!
The peas are looking nice and solid.
The yellow onions are doing really well... as are the weeds! Can you spot any
carrots in there??! Carrot fly has been a major problem, so this year I've planted
onions AND marigolds around them.
Potatoes! :D But still no sign of life in the asparagus bed.
I thought they would show first...?
There was a problem with the watering system in the greenhouse, but thanks to our friend Johan's determination (and stupidity - he stuck the v. v. grimy hose in his mouth to get the flow going again... bläääää!) it's all looking fabulous.

Beautiful blue (?) parrot tulips living in harmony with Jalastar capsicum annums.
It's time to plant the toms into the ground, but there's too much
going on, so they'll have to wait just a little longer.
First harvest! :D
Chicken salad (with shop-bought toms, of course).












Friday, 13 April 2012

A very different spring greenhouse

I'm usually busy preparing the greenhouse for tomatoes, chillies and cucumbers at this time of year; scrubbing the walls, switching out the old soil, laying the watering system etc.

This year though things are a little different.


As I've mentioned before, I made the most of a mild autumn/winter and bought loads of cheap tulip bulbs that were on sale, some of which I planted in the greenhouse. Just for fun. :)

I even planted some funky-ish patterns...

And while waiting for them to flower, I also chucked a few salad seeds about for some early harvests.

'Funky' tulip pattern, with lots of rocket in the foreground

Spinach/lettuce/tulip checkerboard


Spinach (for use as 'baby' in salads)


Mixed cut 'n' come again lettuce